Getting Ready Before the Water Rises
When heavy North Texas storms roll in and drop inches of rain in a hurry, local creeks and drainage ditches can overflow before you know it. If you live near low-lying areas or spots with heavy clay soil that refuses to drain, you need a solid plan.
Move valuables, important documents, and electronics off the floor and up to higher shelves or upper levels. Turn off your electricity at the main breaker box if water is rising near outlets or baseboards. Do not wade into standing water if there is any chance submerged outlets or appliances are still energized.
What You Can Handle During and After the Storm
Once the rain stops and the local authorities give the all-clear, the clock starts ticking on mold growth. You can tackle a lot of the initial work yourself if the water damage is minor. Get your wet rugs, cushions, and saturated cardboard boxes outside immediately. Pull up soaked area rugs, but leave fitted carpet attached until you figure out if it can be saved.
Grab a wet-dry vac and start sucking up standing water from hard floors. Open windows and doors to get some cross-ventilation going if the humidity outside is not too high, and set up every box fan you own to blow air across the floors and walls.
When to Call the Pros
If water has wicked up more than a couple of inches into your drywall, or if it sat stagnant for over 24 hours, you are past the point of a weekend DIY project. Contaminated floodwater from outside carries sewage, bacteria, and harsh chemicals that require professional extraction, industrial air movers, and heavy-duty dehumidifiers.
First Guard Restoration sees how fast trapped moisture gets behind baseboards and inside wall cavities in Seagoville homes. If insulation gets soaked, it has to come out. Period. Leaving it trapped leads straight to toxic mold.
Take plenty of photos for your insurance adjuster before throwing anything away. Throw out porous materials that soaked up contaminated water, and scrub framing studs with a disinfectant solution. Keep your safety gear on, stay hydrated, and do not try to lift heavy waterlogged drywall by yourself. For homes and businesses in Seagoville, First Guard Restoration provides Water Damage Restoration Services.